Asher

Asher is a delightful young boy with a zest for life and an infectious smile. His twin, Cole, and older sister, Nevaeh, are also needing adoptive homes. The siblings have strong bonds. Due to Asher’s special needs, the plan is to look for an adoptive home for him separately. However, it would be wonderful if there were a family capable of adopting all three children.

His social worker wants to hear from adoptive folks who are experienced in working successfully with children who have had significant medical special needs and are in recovery, and who have attention difficulties and high energy, and significant speech difficulties, especially in expressive language. The most successful parents for Asher will be those who also thrive on a quiet routine and lots of structure in life.

Asher, who needs to wear corrective lenses, loves to learn new things and have fun. He is especially proud this day for learning to play chess! Music is very special to Asher; he loves to sing and dance and takes in every sweet sound as if it were a part of him. He is currently learning how to play the autoharp.

Asher likes the Arts as a whole and has talent for drawing. Like most boys his age, he needs ample opportunities for physical activities inside and outside. He enjoys playing soccer and basketball but also loves to just run in the park or go to activity centers where they have active things like a ‘bouncy castle.’

Asher has a great sense of humor and knows he is pretty funny. He is always ready to tell the latest joke and play center stage as long as he has an audience. Among his most favorite activities are creating with Legos and putting puzzles together. When involved in such pastimes, he gets so engrossed that his attention span is very long.

In the fall of 2011, Asher will be in third grade. He is expected to graduate from his therapeutic day treatment program this summer. While he will continue to need special education services, a plan is being developed for him to attend a less restrictive setting. Presently, his educational program provides Asher with a structured learning environment with therapy and academics. He is behind in most subjects due to having missed kindergarten and part of first grade due to his medical interventions.

He also has significant expressive language difficulties and some receptive language issues, which further complicate his efforts to catch up to peers. While he has made progress in his speech, his words slur together and it is very difficult for new people to understand. Asher also takes medication to help manage his symptoms of attention difficulties and high energy.

Not surprisingly, Asher thrives on routine and consistency. The smallest change in his day can cause an emotional response. He depends on those parenting and teaching him to provide him with comforting boundaries and a high level of predictability so that he knows he is safe.

While his speech therapy continues, the good news is that Asher does listen attentively and intently, and as a result he understands much more than expected. As he can get frustrated when he can’t make himself readily understood, Asher needs adoptive parents and teachers who will take the time to learn the nuances of his language, while at the same time are helping him find and implement creative alternative communication methods.

Asher needs daily reminders that he is loved, accepted and that he has a solidly committed adoptive family behind him. He will need extra support around the loss of his biological relatives. A family with a commitment to maintaining connections between Asher and his siblings, Cole and Nevaeh, is very important to Asher’s sense of identity and psychological well being. He also needs adoptive parents who are dedicated and proactive in accessing professional and medical services to meet present and future needs. For just the right adoptive family, Asher will prove to be a sweet son who loves his new folks unconditionally and with abandon.

For adoption information, call the Idaho CareLine or call 1-800-926-2588.